On my first trip to Berlin, I had five full days to explore and still only scratched the surface. You could spend weeks there without running out of things to see and do. I went in with a specific focus on history, mainly from WWII forward. What makes Berlin such …
Three months after separating from the U.S. Air Force in 2019, Markeiz Ryan moved to Vietnam for what he thought was a temporary break from life in the United States. Six years later, he calls Vietnam home. He has built a new life in Ho Chi Minh City, developed a …
Military lodging can give you access to incredible places, and sometimes the quarters themselves are part of the experience. Such is the case with the historic Jackson Barracks in New Orleans, LA. Poppin’ Smoke reader and U.S. Army Reserve retiree Bruce Becker and his family recently stayed there and shared …
Tokyo blends centuries of history with one of the most dynamic cityscapes in the world. In this detailed 5-day itinerary, guest contributor and Navy spouse Katie McDonald shares her firsthand recommendations for making the most of your time in Japan’s capital. You could dedicate an entire trip to Tokyo alone, …
Looking for a tropical getaway? Take a “hop” to Guam! This U.S. territory in the western Pacific makes a great getaway for military travelers who can fly Space-A right into Andersen Air Force Base (AFB) on the island’s northeastern coast. Andersen AFB is also a stopover on many missions between …
If you’ve never been to Guam, a tropical island in the western Pacific Ocean, it’s time to discover what you’ve been missing! Learn all about it from guest contributor and Navy spouse Katie McDonald, who is stationed at Naval Base Guam, Before moving here, I would have struggled to find …
What happens when one member of a couple is ready to fully retire overseas and the other still wants to work? Air Force retiree Valerie Rivera and her husband Ralph, an Army retiree, found a creative solution by obtaining two different residence visas in France. After Ralph wrapped up his …
Planning a vacation but wondering what to do with your pet? Bring them along! Across the country, military recreation areas are rolling out the welcome mat for four-legged family members. You can bring your pet to enjoy a comfortable, adventure-filled getaway together. In this article from guest contributor Julie Chickery, …